Warriors Should Win Game 4, Sweep Jazz
One night after the Cleveland Cavaliers advanced to the conference finals, the Golden State Warriors will try to keep pace with their rivals. They’ll visit the Utah Jazz Monday night in Game 4 of their 2017 NBA playoff series, looking to complete a sweep and remain perfect in the postseason.
As the only playoff game on the schedule, Game 4 will start at 9 p.m. EDT. TNT will have the TV coverage, and viewers can watch a free live stream online at tntdrama.com.
Through seven postseason games, the Warriors have looked every bit like the best team in basketball. The No.1 seed in the Western Conference took care of the Portland Trail Blazers in four games in the first round, winning three times by double-digits. Golden State has cruised to three victories against Utah, winning every contest by more than 10 points.
The entire second round of the playoffs has been largely uncompetitive. Of the 16 games that have been played thus far, only one has been decided by single digits. Considering the way the series between Golden State and Utah has gone, that trend should continue Monday night.
All three games have pretty much gone the same way. Golden State has defeated Utah by 12 points, 11 points, and 11 points again. The Warriors have surpassed the century mark each night against the team that ranked second in points allowed during the regular season.
Utah never really threatened Golden State at Oracle Arena. They did have a nine-point lead in the second half of Game 3, but they fell victim to a late surge by the NBA’s most prolific offense.
A different Warrior seems to lift the team every night. That’s the luxury of having four All-Stars and the winners of the last three MVP awards on the same roster.
Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson dribbles the basketball against Utah Jazz guard Shelvin Mack during the first quarter in Game 2 of the second round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on May 4, 2017. Photo: Reuters/Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
In Game 1, it was Stephen Curry who led the team with 22 points. Draymond Green ignited Golden State with five three-pointers in the first half of Game 2, allowing the Warriors to have a comfortable lead for most of the night. Kevin Durant’s turn came in Game 3 when he had his best playoff performance as a member of the Warriors, scoring 38 points on a night when neither Green nor Klay Thompson cracked double figures.
Perhaps it will be Thompson’s time to shine in Game 4. The shooting guard has been the one Golden State star that’s had a disappointing postseason. Lost in the team’s seven straight wins has been the struggles of Thompson, who is scoring 15.4 points per game on just 38.2 percent field goal shooting.
The Jazz showed some fight in Game 3, and they had a lead as late as the 6:25 mark of the fourth quarter. They’ll be a tough out in front of their home fans at Vivint Smart Home Arena, but Golden State should prove to be too much for them, as they have all series long.
Golden State is an 8.5-point road favorite, according to the betting odds at OddsShark.com. The Game 4 over/under is 206.5.
Prediction: Golden State over Utah, 107-96
Related Articles
